[moonluv810]

I'm super excited to share my build, which I'm pretty sure this is the last time I'm buying a new car with an internal combustion engine, a 12-volt battery only, and last but most important, a manual transmission.

A bit about myself. I'm a 44-year-old fart. I learned driving in my mom's '88 manual Honda Civic. My first car was a hand-me-down Suzuki Vitara, also with a manual transmission. Over the years, I've had the privilege to own and drive some of BMW's fun cars: 1993 318is, 1996 M3, 1999 M3, 2000 M Coupe, 2004 325iT, and 2018 M3. And you guess it right, all of them were with manual transmissions.

As with many people, my first reaction was not so favorable looking at G80 design, especially coming from an F80. After digesting the design a bit more and reading many glowing reviews on its exceptional performance, I decided that I have to get the last manual M3. I don't think I'll ever have another opportunity to order, build, and drive a brand-new well-rounder 4-door family and track car with a manual transmission ever. The Last Hurrah!

I typically only selected middle-of-the-road and must have options in the past. In the spirit of "The Last Hurrah!", I'm going a bit over the top with this build. I know, with this amount of money, I'm practically spending the same moolah for a well-equipped X-Drive Competition model. But you can call me old school by going with a manual and RWD. Not everything is about 0-60. I plan to have this car as a weekend and road-trip car, with 3-4 track days a year. My goal is to preserve this M3 as original and pristine as possible and keep it in the family and pass it down to my kids when the time comes.

My 2022 G80 Build:

• Base Model
• Exterior: San Marino Blue Individual
• Interior: Kyalami Orange/Black Full Merino
• Executive Package
• Parking Assistance Package
• 826M Bi-Color Wheels
• Carbon Fiber Interior Trim
• Icon Laserlight
• M Shadowline Lights
• M Carbon Bucket Seats
• M Carbon Exterior Package
• M Drive Professional
• Red Brake Calipers

I'm working with Gebhardt BMW, a local BMW dealer in Boulder, CO where I bought my '18 M3.

• January 28, 2022: made the initial inquiry on allocation, was advised they didn't have any allocation and I was the only person on the waiting list for a base G80. They said it could take anywhere from a couple months to 4 months to get an allocation. I said, I'm not in a rush, I just want to get the Last Hurrah! Sign me up!
• February 3: submitted paperwork for the build order (initial order with Skyscraper Gray exterior, standard seats, full Fiona Red, no carbon exterior package)
• February 8: got a call from my SA, he said, we have an allocation and production number for you! I said, what???? Apparently, they were able to get the allocation from another dealership. Base M3s must not be that popular. Well, that's fine with me!
• February 11: brought my wife in to the dealership to look at color swatches. SA gave me a print out of the build order showing Week 12.
• February 18: after a long week of back and forth, I decided a few changes to the order: San Marino Blue Individual, Kyalami Orange/Black, bucket seats, carbon exterior). I sent the request back to my SA and he said he would need a couple of days to get the individual paint approved and confirmed.
• February 21: got a call back from my SA and he confirmed that the individual color is a go!
• February 25: got a call from SA advising that the build has been pushed out from Week 12 to Week 20. What a bummer! I don't mind the delays as long as they don't remove any of the options.
• May 16: status changed to "Scheduled for Production"
• May 18: Production begins!!!! Wooohooo!!!!
• May 31: Entering assembly line
• June 1: Quality check
• June 2: Dispatched from factory
• June 7: Arrived at port
• June 20: Left port on-board Orion Leader
• July 30: Arrived at port Hueneme
• Aug 9: loaded to the truck, on its last leg to Boulder, CO
  

I'll keep updating this thread with the progress and I hope sooner than later, I'll be able to share some photos.

The Last Hurrah!

[chicagofan00]

Congrats on your order. Great build spec as well.

[BBM9515]

Nice write up and commitment to MANuals.

[Limegrntaln]

Congrats on the last Hurrah. My G82 is my first BMW out of just over 30 cars, and all but 3 have been manuals, so, I know the feeling. I ordered the Comp, because I just had to have the xDrive coming from AWD Turbo Eclipses, Talons, and Evos, from yesteryear, I was forced to now go automatic, if I wanted to feel that AWD power, again, and although it feels little more numb than a manual, Im elated with my decision.

Interestingly enough, my 21 Accord Touring is also an automatic. Maybe I'm just getting old, who knows? so, my 2 current cars, are 2 of the 3 autos I've ever owned, in my life, and the 3rd, or 1st, was a Honda Odyssey, in 2006. I'm glad to see some manual guys, still ordering cars, to this day. You know when everything goes electric, there will absolutely be no need for a car with more than 1 or 2 gears. Keep it rockin!!

[gottacatchemall]

Great build, you're going to love it.

I drove the new m240i last week, and although the ZF8 shifted seamlessly, the experience was numb, which reinforced how for me a manual brings to life the car driving experience (currently have a manual E92).

[moonluv810]

Originally Posted by Limegrntaln

Congrats on the last Hurrah. My G82 is my first BMW out of just over 30 cars, and all but 3 have been manuals, so, I know the feeling. I ordered the Comp, because I just had to have the xDrive coming from AWD Turbo Eclipses, Talons, and Evos, from yesteryear, I was forced to now go automatic, if I wanted to feel that AWD power, again, and although it feels little more numb than a manual, Im elated with my decision.

Interestingly enough, my 21 Accord Touring is also an automatic. Maybe I'm just getting old, who knows? so, my 2 current cars, are 2 of the 3 autos I've ever owned, in my life, and the 3rd, or 1st, was a Honda Odyssey, in 2006. I'm glad to see some manual guys, still ordering cars, to this day. You know when everything goes electric, there will absolutely be no need for a car with more than 1 or 2 gears. Keep it rockin!!

Auto has its place.
I enjoy driving our X3 for daily grocery run and taking kids around.

My wife drives a '20 MDX hybrid. So our family started the transition over. But I'm not entirely in the hybrid/EV bandwagon yet.

Looking into the future, hope this G80 will stay in the family as long as possible. It'll show the next gens that once upon a time, cars do make sound!

[ToMorNotToM]

Exciting. Love the pedigree history of your cars.

[moonluv810]

Originally Posted by ToMorNotToM

Exciting. Love the pedigree history of your cars.

I just wish I could collect and keep all of them. No fund and no garage space 😂

[GregM4]

Great spec but ease up on the "old fart" comments. At 44 you are hardly old. More prime if you ask me.

Will be a great car and you will love it. Enjoy.

[02M3ForMe]

Excellent build - looking forward to the BaT auction in 20 years .

[harperium]

ICE isn't going anywhere. We may see more hybrids and plug-in hybrids, but in North America, the electric infrastructure is no where close to supporting the demise of ICE outside of the wet dreams of Tesla fanboys.

[_E90S65_]

[Besharaf]

Originally Posted by harperium

ICE isn't going anywhere. We may see more hybrids and plug-in hybrids, but in North America, the electric infrastructure is no where close to supporting the demise of ICE outside of the wet dreams of Tesla fanboys.

Didn't the big 3 German automakers say they will go electric for main line engines by 2030? I agree the infrastructure isn't there right now, but what are the odds you'll ever get another new I6 for an M3? AMG were widely known for their V8s, and the next C63 is going to be a hybrid electric/4 cyl.

[moonluv810]

Originally Posted by 02M3ForMe

Excellent build - looking forward to the BaT auction in 20 years .

Originally Posted by GregM4

Great spec but ease up on the "old fart" comments. At 44 you are hardly old. More prime if you ask me.

Will be a great car and you will love it. Enjoy.

I felt so old after watching that BMW M 50th anniversary ad.
😂😂😂

Originally Posted by 02M3ForMe

Excellent build - looking forward to the BaT auction in 20 years .

$5M for a pristine low mileage last manual M3!
Not a bad retirement plan! I'll be 64 then.
😂😂😂

[W///]

Originally Posted by harperium

ICE isn't going anywhere. We may see more hybrids and plug-in hybrids, but in North America, the electric infrastructure is no where close to supporting the demise of ICE outside of the wet dreams of Tesla fanboys.

ICE might be around for a bit longer, but manuals absolutely will not be. That's the topic for me.

Congrats on the build OP, we have very similar taste in cars. Your G80 is almost exactly how I'd build mine if I ever got one

[moonluv810]

Originally Posted by W///

ICE might be around for a bit longer, but manuals absolutely will not be. That's the topic for me.

Congrats on the build OP, we have very similar taste in cars. Your G80 is almost exactly how I'd build mine if I ever got one

I'm still on the fence in the caliper color. What color would you go with?

[2011ninja]

Originally Posted by harperium

ICE isn't going anywhere. We may see more hybrids and plug-in hybrids, but in North America, the electric infrastructure is no where close to supporting the demise of ICE outside of the wet dreams of Tesla fanboys.

Full EV is about 3% of car sales.

Hybrid and EV combined is about 5%

Even with infrastructure it takes to long to charge

My manager has Tesla Model 3.

He is not a true enthusiast… he just kept talking about zero to 60 😆

He's an avid angler; like me.

Decides to do a fishing trip upstate New York in December.

He said the trip took 6 hours (normally 3 hours)

Apparently batteries don't do well in the cold.

Window got stuck 1/4 open too

Said it was a miserable trip and he would never take the Tesla on any long trip.

[W///]

Originally Posted by moonluv810

I'm still on the fence in the caliper color. What color would you go with?

Oh I don't have one on order or anything, just living vicariously through you guys.

I think with your combo, red calipers are a no brainer. They really pop and go well with any blue cars IMHO.

[TK3pedal]

Ordered my M3 for much the same reasons. Manuals are getting so rare on powerful cars, even sports cars, that this may be the last hurrah. And electrification of some sort is going to keep on getting more common. Not to mention I'm 54 so I gotta get my fill of fast cars now in case I lose interest (probably not..)
Ordered manual with carbon seats, etc... Should be fun. Can't wait until it arrives. Currently driving my C63 (with the big 6.2L). Love the car's motor but it is the only fun car I've owned with an automatic. I'm ready to row.

[BBM9515]

Nice build and previous BMWs!

[ROBERT1183]

Great spec! I came from a 6 speed comp F80 myself to a G80 6 speed. Your gonna love it. Its an amazing all around car. Far exceeded all my expectations. No regrets selling my 3700 mile F80. Im just like you. I plan to keep this long term. Only driver her on the weekends when I go out with the guys in my club. Long live the Manual!!!!

[moonluv810]

Originally Posted by ROBERT1183

Great spec! I came from a 6 speed comp F80 myself to a G80 6 speed. Your gonna love it. Its an amazing all around car. Far exceeded all my expectations. No regrets selling my 3700 mile F80. Im just like you. I plan to keep this long term. Only driver her on the weekends when I go out with the guys in my club. Long live the Manual!!!!

Definitely can't wait!